Atletico set Sunday deadline for Arsenal to sign Alvarez as deal looks increasingly unlikely

Atletico Madrid have handed Arsenal a Sunday deadline to complete a deal for Julian Alvarez, but the £128m move appears to be fading fast, with the 26-year-old having already told Mikel Arteta he does not want to leave the Spanish capital.

According to transfer reporter David Ornstein, there is a low chance Alvarez will opt for Arsenal. The Argentine held a five-hour meeting with his inner circle earlier this week to weigh up his options — staying at Atletico and repairing his relationship with supporters who booed him last weekend, or committing to Arteta’s project in north London. Alvarez’s preferred destination of Barcelona has been blocked by Atletico, who are only willing to entertain offers from abroad and are demanding £128m for their forward.

Despite the deal stalling, Arsenal are said to be relaxed about the prospect of beginning the new season without Alvarez. The Gunners have already spent around £200m on five additions this summer under sporting director Andrea Berta, bringing in Piero Hincapie (£34.5m), Christos Tzolis (£34m), Bruno Guimaraes (£75m), Ezri Konsa (£55m), and free transfer goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

On the outgoing side, Arsenal have been less active. Leandro Trossard departed for £17m, Gabriel Martinelli is expected to join Al-Hilal for around £50m, and Reiss Nelson’s contract was terminated on Thursday. A potential swap involving Gabriel Jesus moving to Atletico Madrid has been floated as part of the broader negotiations around Alvarez, though no agreement has been reached.

Amid the Alvarez uncertainty, Arsenal did secure one piece of positive news on the academy front. Defender Marli Salmon signed his first professional contract with the club on Saturday, the same day he turned 17. The centre-back joined Arsenal’s academy at Under-11 level and has spent seven years with the club before earning his professional deal.